Rugby league convert Sonny Bill Williams has been named in the All Blacks rugby squad to tour Britain in November, the only newcomer in the 30-man party.

Williams, who defected from Australia's National Rugby League in 2008 to play rugby for French club Toulon, turned down multimillion-dollar offers to stay in France to pursue his dream of earning an All Blacks jersey.

The giant midfield back has produced a series of strong performances for Canterbury province in New Zealand's National Provincial Championship in recent weeks to gain national selection for the first time.

Hooker Hikawera Elliott, who played his only previous All Blacks match against the Irish side Munster in 2008, has been recalled, as has veteran flanker Daniel Braid who recently played Super 14 rugby in Australia for the Queensland Reds.

The forwards are John Afoa, Anthony Boric, Daniel Braid, Tom Donnelly, Hikawera Elliot, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Andrew Hore, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw (capt), Keven Mealamu, Liam Messam, Kieran Read, Brad Thorn, Samuel Whitelock, Tony Woodcock.

The backs are Andy Ellis, Daniel Carter, Jimmy Cowan, Stephen Donald, Hosea Gear, Cory Jane, Alby Mathewson, Mils Muliaina, Ma'a Nonu, Josevata Rokocoko, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Conrad Smith, Isaia Toeava, Sonny Bill Williams.

The dates for the five matches are October 30 - All Blacks v Australia, Hong Kong; November 06 - All Blacks v England, London; November 13 - All Blacks v Scotland, Edinburgh; November 20 - All Blacks v Ireland, Dublin; and November 27 - All Blacks v Wales, Cardiff.

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